Northern students who are also single parents and have to contend with childcare expenses on top of tuition might be eligible for a scholarship through ASNMU.

In 1995, the student government organization established the Anna Marie Cream Childcare Scholarship to support a non-traditional student who was having trouble making ends meet. The scholarship has continued in her name. It is awarded once a semester to any single parent in need of childcare support, and the money is paid directly to a licensed childcare provider. There might be multiple recipients, depending on the funding available each semester.

ASNMU raises money for the scholarship in a number of ways, according to President Erik Maillard. These include pop can collections, letter-writing campaigns to potential local donors, and flower sales at on-campus theater events.

“The amount of money available varies widely due to the success of our letter-writing campaign and other priorities which may face the board from year to year,” Maillard said. “A ballpark figure would be around $1,000 dollars on average. Last year, we helped three students with that amount. Although $1,000 dollars doesn’t seem like a lot for childcare, ASNMU continues its efforts to help out the most in need parents in hope they can continue their education at Northern. It really comes down to the human factor. We often receive cards of appreciation from the recipient and that is what we are all about: helping students.”

For more information, or to make a donation to the scholarship, call ext. 2452.